This restaurant feels like eating at your grandmother's house -- the food is wonderful and the welcoming service makes the entire experience so special. If you want to try delicious, different, and overall authentic cuisine, this is the place. The restaurant itself is very clean with memorable art decorating the dining area. We began with the appetizer mixed plate, which I very much recommend if you are willing to try many different, delicious appetizers. I personally had the Sultan's Delight as my entree, a decedent dish of lamb and mashed potatoes. This dish was especially unique in flavor and served on a hot plate that made every bite feel like the first! The owner, Anar, greeted us and was so kind and made the experience that much more memorable. While we do not live in the area, this has definitely become a spot we will frequent when visiting! read more

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...I'll start off by saying, "I love Mediterranean food," and I'm always looking for a good spot. This one caught my attention as I walked by it. I had to stop and read the menu. My first thought was figuring out when I was coming back to try it out. Well, it happened! I'm glad I did. From the start, the service was great. I was seated quickly, even though I was solo. I felt a little guilty taking up a table in this busy restaurant, but they were very accommodating. Quickly, I asked for a menu along with recommendations. Even though those recommendations sounded amazing, I already had my mind made up from reading the menu the day I discovered the place. I got the Branzino, and yum, it was!!!! As good as it was, the tables next to me and in front of me had the specialty plate. Heck, I almost ordered one to bring home, but I calmed that urge by taking full bites of my fish and creamy mashed potatoes. I love me some Branzino, and they did a good job. I couldn't leave without getting some dessert, so I chose the Azerbaijani Baklava and the Pistachio Baklava with goat's milk vanilla creamy ice cream--this was definitely the way to finish off a lovely dinner. Did I say the service was great? Yes, the service was on point! Good staff, super friendly! The ambiance was moderately perfect for a Piedmont Ave spot. Bottom line--this spot is a Mediterranean restaurant offering a fusion of Turkish, Iranian, and Armenian cuisines. I heard the gyros are really good--next, I'll try those. Go visit and eat there; you will like it! I'm going back soon. read more

We really love this place. First, great food! We've had the wraps, salads, appetizers. All really delicious. Second, great service. We've ordered take away and we've eaten in at the restaurant for lunch and service was great on all fronts. And third, the place is really beautiful and has a great aesthetic and vibe. read more

I never tried Azerbaijani food. I was quite impressed with the dishes. I ordered the lamb kebob and it was excellent. Not gamey at all. The grilled flavor was quite aromatic. It's a bit on the salty side but the red sauce nicely compensated it. We also have the egg plant roll and it was delightful as well. We ordered the Greek salad which was also quite delicious. read more

Bistro 4293 - Karabakh Lula kebab - Mediterranean Near Me - Oakland, California

A must try. I would recommend for dates, or even a business meeting and to explore unique food. You'll hear a lot of mmmmmm and omg this is delicious. Best chicken by far and the most fluffiest rice I've ever had and the Lamb chops are a must. The staff were very knowledgeable about the menu and very attentive. The down to earth owner himself makes his rounds with the guests to make sure everything is on point. Reminds me of Rich from Wood Tavern. Bistro 4293 is on the right track with food, flavor, service, and yes a great personality. Extremely clean establishment which is a big plus for me. read more

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I love that there's an Azerbaijani restaurant on Piedmont Avenue! We came during their soft opening as they were likely figuring things out, so service was very slow (even as we were some of the only folks in the restaurant). I know we ask for water refills pretty often, but it was a little tough to get drinks refilled or orders in. (Also, beware - there are two types of still water here - one you pay for and one you don't!) Aside from the minor hiccups and misunderstanding over water, their food was outstanding. My favorites were the lentil soup and Karabakh lamb shank, the Ruby Foam cocktail was lovely, and everything was prepared with skill and care. read more

Bistro 4293 - Ruby Foam - Mediterranean Near Me - Oakland, California

Ordered the Karabakh Lula Kebab 35 Hand chopped grilled lamb meat served with roasted baby potatoes, red onion, grilled tomato, sumac and parsley. Nice new Azerbaijan restaurant on Piedmont Ave with outdoor and indoor seating. Waitress was nice in helping me pick out what to order. She said her favorites were the meat dolma appetizer, sea bass, khan plov, and the kebab I ordered. Nice extensive wine and spirit list also. I'm glad they ask if you want sparkling, still, or tap water because at Burdell they didn't tell us there was a $9 charge for the house bottle of sparkling water until we got the check. Lamb kebab entree was delicious. The potatoes were roasted perfectly. The salad had some sweet dressing. Lamb was seasoned and cooked well and was tender. Other yelp reviews led me to order the Marash Turkish Ice Cream which came in a block and was really unique and delicious. Highly recommend trying this. read more

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We had a delicious meal at Bistro 4293 from the starter to the dessert. Every plate that came to my table impressed, and I saw plates going to other tables that caught our eye and will order next time. The starter we ordered was the Bistro 4293 Mix Plate. We couldn't pick just one starter and the option of sampling a spread was perfect. The plate contained hummus, calamari, fried dushbara (small meat dumplings, about the size of penny gumballs), mangal (a grilled eggplant and peppers spread), fried prawns, tatziki, and a cocktail sauce for the prawns. Our unanimously favorite thing on this starter was the mangal. It has a very bright and smoky flavor and is delicious on pita. It also went well with the tatziki. For drinks we sampled the non-alcoholic menu, even though the alcohol menu was impressive. It had more Georgian vintages than I've ever seen in one place, though to be fair I've never thought to pay attention to that before. I got the hibiscus lemonade. It was very sweet, super refreshing, and ever so slightly carbonated. My boyfriend ordered the Lacish Petals, even though we were unclear going in what that drink would be other than floral. To me, it tasted sort of like a lychee lemonade and it was also very refreshing! We ordered very heavy entrees, so having a bright and acidic drink on hand to cut through every once in a while was a huge boon. Next ordered were two entrees. We ordered the lamb shank and the lamb chops, because we love lamb. The dishes were both totally distinct and didn't feel redundant. Yes, we ate so much red meat that my heart may stop any minute now, but they were wildly different experiences. The lamb shank was so tender! It fell right off the bone. It was in a delicious mash which it went well with. I do very much love when a whole dish comes together to compliment all its elements and this absolutely did that. The lamb chops were also delicious! They were actually flame grilled and had a fantastic char! The lamb for these chops was probably grass fed because the flavor of the lamb was robust. It was served with a good caramelized onion jam. We also ordered the dushbara soup. It was a great comfort food that warms you up inside. The closest thing I could think to compare it to is matzah ball soup, except the dumplings were small and filled with meat. We were totally full after all this food, but our server recommended the house ice cream. We ordered it as soon as she said it was made with goat milk. We love goat cheese and goat milk but have never tried it as ice cream, and it exceeded our already high expectations set by a delicious dinner! The ice cream was rich and velvety and smooth. It also had that tartness of goat milk in a way that totally worked with the sweetness of ice cream. If I could buy a pint of it to take home I would have! This was the soft opening, so there was an exciting air about the place. The owner himself came out to us at the end and thanked us for coming out on such a momentous occasion. He told us that this is the first Azerbaijani restaurant in California!! He also gave us some Azerbaijani baklava to try. Apparently, all the baklava I'm used to (with the pistachio and filo dough) is Turkish in style. Azerbaijani baklava is delicious! Made with walnuts and a thicker pastry crust. In conclusion, the food was delicious and the people were very welcoming. I hope this restaurant succeeds, and next time I come I will order the khan plov because we saw it going to other tables and it was beautiful. read more

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Stopped by here and took a seat at the bar. The owner Anar took exceptional care of us. The restaurant is nicely lit, and decorated well. The food was great and was brought out promptly. Got a chance to try some of their non alcoholic mocktails, and some Georgian wine, and both were exceptional. Would definitely recommend for date night, a special occasion, or just giving a new spot a try . The food was so good I didn't get a chance to take any pictures before it was all gone . read more

Everything was wonderfully tasty. Prompt friendly service. Forgot to take photo of Turkish baklava. read more

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The Khan Plov was amazing and very large. We will be going back for more soon. Would also like to try a lamb dish

Incredible service, environment, and staff!! All of the food was absolutely amazing and the owner Anar was a delight. Please please please take the time to stop here if you are in the area!! read more

Bistro 4293 - Mixed Bistro 4293 Mix Plate (Chef's Choice) - Mediterranean Near Me - Oakland, California

My date ran into traffic and was a literal hour late. I was embarrassed, but the servers were so kind-- kept refilling my tea, brought appetizers promptly, and never even batted an eyelash. And then the food was so good! The lamb chops were super tender (I did forget to photo them) and the calamari was nicely crisp and chewy. read more

Bistro 4293 - Fried Calamari - Mediterranean Near Me - Oakland, California

Because we were in the mood to explore new foods! What an amazing selection on the menu. Thank you to the staff for preparing such wonderful food. The place is small and intimate but punches above your expectations. I had never had Blav like that before! Yummy crunchy and sweetness all in one. Yeah, stop by this little gem! read more

Bistro 4293 - Most amazing food. - Mediterranean Near Me - Oakland, California

My wife and I ventured in on a quiet Tuesday evening tonight, not knowing what to expect, and we both left quite impressed! The ambiance is inviting and cozy, perfect for a date night or small to medium sized groups. Our server was warm and attentive, the drinks came quickly and tasted great, and most importantly...the food was both very good and unique. Highlights of our meal included the lamb shank and the dushbara (Azerbaijani dumpling soup). I will come back just for that dumpling soup next time I need something warm on a cold night. Looking forward to the next time we get to try more of their menu! read more

Bistro 4293 - Mediterranean Near Me - Oakland, California

Lovely atmosphere - incredible service - amazing food. Will go back ! So nice to have this restaurant in our neighborhood ! We loved our waitress but did not catch her name read more

Bistro 4293 - Kunefe - Mediterranean Near Me - Oakland, California

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This is a new Azerbaijani restaurant with a cozy and neat atmosphere. Their layout provides a couple of tables with more private setting which looked perfect for a date! The staff were super friendly with a big smile on their faces every time they reached our table. The owner also chatted with us and shared some history. He gave us a tour at their available space behind the restaurant for hosting private parties which was beautifully furnished with Persian rugs and bunch of traditional items. Full bar is available, we tried their Georgian Cabernet wine which was delicious. The Khan Plov was also amazing! The appetizers and food were are nicely garnished and greatly presented. My friends also spoke highly about the See Bass. Street parking available but might be a bit challenging to find a spot super close. I totally recommended this restaurant. read more

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Highly recommend Bistro 4293 for private events! Anar, the owner, provided an incredible luncheon for my husband's 50th birthday this weekend. It was a pleasure to work with Anar from initial inquiry through the actual event, and the meal was amazing! Flavorful, comforting, and unforgettable. I'm grateful to Bistro 4293 for surpassing the impossibly high standards of my husband and his friends, who know and appreciate good food (and are therefore a challenging crowd to impress when it comes to special occasions). Anar and staff went above and beyond to make sure every detail was perfect, even hanging our birthday banners and arranging our party favors at every place setting. The food was truly one of a kind and worth coming back to, especially to celebrate the moments that matter most in life. Thank you, Anar and Bistro 4293!!!!!! read more

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From all the positive reviews, we were excited to try Bistro 4293 for the first time. The food was good, and we feel like the 2 servers were making a good effort, under the circumstances. The eggplant roll appetizer was delicious - soft, moist, and tasty. But we had finished it before we received our cocktails, even though we had ordered the cocktails first. My classic margarita was mostly ice. The roasted cauliflower rainbow plate was missing its rainbow - there was no beetroot or carrot, just cauliflower and asparagus. When we brought this up with the server, he said maybe the recipe was changed, and the menu needed updating. We feel like if this was the case, we should have been advised when we ordered it. At least we think the server should have checked with the chef to see if they might have forgotten it or run out. The dish was okay as is, but would have been a lot better with more variety of flavors and color. The Khan Plov was good - tasty, on the sweet side with prunes, raisins, dried apricots, and some kind of small round nuts, on a bed of rice in a flaky pastry shell. It was served with a ring of greens around the plate. The room was a pleasant space, with a high ceiling and pleasant decor. I thought the music was a bit loud at times, making conversation difficult. I feel like the owners are making a good effort, the food is interesting and unusual, and I wish them success. Toward this end, I hope this feedback is helpful. We may wait a bit and then come back to try Bistro 4293 again. read more

Food was so flavorful! The meat in both of the the main dishes we got was soooo juicy and tender. I have never had anything like this before so each bite was pleasant. Bar has a lot of selections. The service was excellent. The restaurant is so beautiful. Very clean and great vibes. A great place for celebrations and date nights. read more

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Piedmont Avenue's hidden culinary gem. Delicious, exotic cuisines - from Azerbeijan to Turkey and beyond. Welcoming staff, amazing atmosphere- both inside and outside dining. Diners of all ages range from Kaiser doctors and nurses, to techies to writers to families. read more

Friends, you really have to check this place out! It's one of the best restaurants I've been to lately. The appetizers and main course were absolutely delicious. On top of that, the owner is incredibly hospitable and open to feedback. We were served by Ms. Damaris, who greeted us with a big smile and guided us through the menu with great knowledge. I'll definitely be coming back! read more

Bistro 4293 - Mediterranean Near Me - Oakland, California

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Ambiance = 4 Food = 3 Service = 2 Bistro 4293 is a cute restaurant in the quaint Piedmont Avenue neighborhood that serves Azerbaijani Cuisine. Our party of five ordered a bottle of Chandon Brut Rosé Sparkling Wine, two appetizers, and five entrees. The sparkling wine and appetizers were good, especially the mangal (grilled eggplant, peppers, onions, and tomatoes tossed in olive oil and herbs)... but the appetizers only came with four little pieces of Mediterranean bread so we, of course, had to ask for more bread (and were charged extra for it). Our party ordered the Karabakh Lula Kebab (lamb), Khan Plov (beef with caramelized onions, dried fruit and saffron rice wrapped inside a crispy lavash), Tika Kebab (beef), Vegetarian Roasted Cauliflower Rainbow Plate, and a Wagyu Burger. About 25 minutes later, the waiter came back with four of our entrees and left. After five minutes, I looked at the waiter because I hadn't received my food. At that time, he realized that he had only given us four entrees. He asked me what I had ordered, and I said, "The Tika Kebab". Apparently, he gave my entrée to one of our other dinner guests and completely forgot to order the Karabakh Lula Kebab. He asked my friend if he was okay eating the wrong meal and said he would order my entrée. About 20 minutes later my entrée arrived after everyone else had finished their meal. Our friend liked the Khan Plov. Apparently, the Wagyu Burger was okay... it was supposed to be cooked "medium" but arrived medium well. Also, it was served with regular French fries and ketchup. The Tika Kebab beef was tender and well-cooked. It was served with a "special house sauce" that tasted like tomato paste and didn't have much flavor. I would have liked a more flavorful sauce and maybe some tzatziki. The Vegetarian Roasted Cauliflower Rainbow Plate was bland, bland, bland... our friend didn't finish it. We never received the Karabakh Lula Kebab. The worst part of the evening was the service. I don't know if perhaps there was a language barrier, but our waiter wasn't attentive. After asking for a wine glass twice, I finally went up to the bar and got one from the counter person. There was the mix-up with the entrees... our waiter didn't seem to notice he only brought four entrees for five people. We had to ask for water repeatedly, a friend was served a warm glass of the Chandon Brut Rosé Sparkling Wine, and we didn't receive any compensation for the entrée mix up. I don't know... maybe it was an off night for the waiter, but we probably won't be going back there. read more

Bistro 4293 - Mediterranean Near Me - Oakland, California

We came here on a Saturday afternoon. The harvest plate was very nice, the fried dushbara were addictive. I really enjoyed the Lula kebab. It's right on piedmont ave with great natural light. It's nicely laid out with space between the tables and some nice decor. The service was very kind and prompt. read more

There is nothing like getting together to celebrate the joy of a family gathering. I couldn't have asked for a better restaurant to provide an intimate room for my family to gather and share delicious Azerbaijani cuisine, slow braised succulant lamb and simmered sauces. Their signature mixed plate served to whet the appetite but we didn't have to wait long for our entrees. We shared a variety of unique desserts that were delicious. Our wait staff and the owner, Anar, were welcoming and filled with stories that only added to our appreciation of our dinner. I'd highly recommend Bistro 4293 to anyone for their food, ambiance and service. It was a wonderful evening I will remember. Many thanks! read more

Bistro 4293 - The Lamb shank was cooked to perfection, full of flavor and well seasoned - Mediterranean Near Me - Oakland, California

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We came here for my birthday, a few weeks after they had opened! It's a cute little warm and inviting spot. I've never been so conflicted about a restaurant. It was difficult to get our server's attention throughout the meal. He seemed distracted and often with the other staff, which left us waiting too long for water refills and to place our order. The hummus trio was delicious! My favorites were the beet and basil, super earthy and creamy, with just the right amount of lemon. The pita bread it came with was fluffy and fresh. The meat dolmas were delicate and juicy, so soft they practically melted in your mouth. Probably the best dolmas I've ever had. The lamb lollipops were succulent and lightly seasoned, however the roasted asparagus and potato seemed firm and dry. For dessert we got a their take on tres leches, very milky and soaked, almost reminiscent of rasmalai. It wasn't really my taste, but others may like it. Unfortunately, the khan plov was very disappointing. The pastry was doughy, the filling was very cold, and with little saffron or meat, leaving it tasting like mostly plain white rice. When we tried to tell the waiter, he had stepped outside on the phone and it was hard to get help. A manager or chef eventually came out and insisted it was "supposed to be cold" which was frustrating since plov should be served hot. Overall the handling of the situation was awkward and unprofessional. read more

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Really wonderful food - we had the lamb kebabs, humus trio and Khan Plav. The food was delicious and some of the most authentic we've had out in a while. However, we ordered 3 Aperol spritz's and the waitress spilled them into our newborns car seat, which thankfully our newborn was just out of.. We were given a piece of baklava each as the meal wrapped, but the drinks were not comped at all, disappointing because we had to clean out the car seat and arrange other transport home because of the incident and it's not easy with a newborn. Wish the service was more generous and thoughtful after the incident, and it's a real bummer because we love the place and live so close by. read more

¡Qué experiencia tan deliciosa! Los lamb chops estaban espectaculares: carne suave, bien sazonada y con un sabor que se queda contigo. Totalmente recomendados. Además, el restaurante es muy bonito y el servicio súper amable, lo que hizo que toda la visita fuera aún mejor. read more

Bistro 4293 - Med-Style Lamb Chops - Mediterranean Near Me - Oakland, California

The hidden gem of Piedmont, Oakland. Most delicious Mediterenean and Azerbaijani cuisine where we couldn't find anywhere else. Loved it! Service and ambiance is amazing, definitely recommend this place! read more

Bistro 4293 - TIka Kebab from Azerbaijan cuisine, beef tenderloin with creamy and soft marination. Loved the way they serve - Mediterranean Near Me - Oakland, California

We love this place! The ambiance, service, character and food is outstanding! We enjoyed meeting and conversing with the staff and, ultimately, met the entire team including the chef and owner! We learned about Azerbaijani culture, cuisine, wine and history and had an experience that by far exceeded expectations ! read more

Lovely place -- welcome addition to Piedmont Ave. Food was fresh and flavorful, with pleasant service and cozy dining room. We had the octopus (really nice), saffron chicken (flavorful and juicy), karabakh kebab (also delicious), and a fresh harvest appetizer. Not a huge portions kind of place, but the food was good quality and felt like a healthy meal. Would definitely come here again! read more

Bistro 4293 - Mediterranean Harvest Plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Oakland, California

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This is one of my favorite restaurants to date that I tried this year. I've been here 3 times and each time was a wonderful experience. The food was delicious and the staff were very attentive and friendly. The mix plate starter is a good appetizer so you can try a variety of items. The first time we came, the owner let us come in and order even though they were about to close for the night, which we greatly appreciated. My husband and I have enjoyed sitting at the bar. We look forward to going back soon and trying more dishes. read more

This new restaurant features both Mediterranean (Turkish) and Azerbajani food. The Bistro 4239 mixed plate was a excellent and will give you a real taste of this restaurant. The Tika Kebab was wonderful. The Khan Plov was interesting. Service was friendly and efficient. Highly recommend this restaurant. read more

We had dinner here tonight and overall left feeling let down. My mother ordered the grilled octopus with smoked eggplant purée -- the flavors were good and the eggplant was excellent, but the octopus itself was chewy, not tender. I had the Mediterranean sea bass with mashed potatoes. The sauce and potatoes were delicious, but the fish was dry and overcooked. Service was also disappointing. Our server wasn't knowledgeable about the menu, left empty plates sitting for several minutes, then asked us to clear our own dishes and reuse dirty silverware while she handed us hot entrées. It felt careless and unprofessional. Maybe we ordered the wrong dishes, since the restaurant has good reviews, but paired with the poor service we won't be going back. I really wanted to like this place -- I love Mediterranean food -- but this just wasn't it. read more

I stopped in after seeing the place from the street and wanted to try it. When I asked about seating, I was told that the available tables were reserved. At the same time, the bartender suggested seating me at the bar, but the person assisting me declined -- in front of both the bartender and myself. It felt inconsistent and uncomfortable as a customer to hear two different answers, one helpful and one dismissive, right in front of me. I was then offered outdoor seating with heaters. I appreciated the effort; however, out of the three heaters, only one worked. The older couple next to me had heat, but the other two heaters were not functioning, and the staff was unable to fix them. Ultimately, I had to leave and take my business elsewhere. I was genuinely interested in dining with you and hope this feedback is useful. I believe better coordination between staff and working outdoor heaters would make a big difference in first impressions. read more

Amazing service, food is very delicious. Owner is very nice. I would recommend 100%. Authentic Azerbaijanian food. read more

Bistro 4293 - Mediterranean Near Me - Oakland, California

Attentive service and ambiance. Excellent food. Generous portions. Highly recommended.

I visited this restaurant when I ordered "dinner to go". Owner offered a tour around the restaurant including two private banquet rooms off site. Very impressive. Nice atmosphere. Excellent service. Authentic azerbaijani cuisine. read more

Food was great. Excellent dolma. Nice ambience and great service. Street parking was available.

Fantastic food. Beautiful and creative twist on Mediterranean cuisine. Very warm service and cozy dining space. It has a slightly old-world quality that is lovely. Great wine. read more